In this 6 and a half minute long video, Rabbi Katie Bauman provides meaningful explanations and practical instructions for how to perform the Havdalah ceremony that concludes Shabbat. This video demonstrates the Reform custom, which includes the four central blessings of the ceremony sung to a popular tune composed by Jewish American singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman. With the Hebrew and transliterated text of the blessings displayed on screen as well as brief explanations of the symbolic meaning behind the rituals, this is an excellent resource for beginners. The full English, Hebrew and transliterated texts can be seen below. Rabbi Bauman is the Associate Rabbi at the Reform Temple Israel in Memphis.
The Havdalah Ceremony
Lift the cup of wine of grape juice, and recite the blessing:
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, borei p’ri hagafen.
We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
Hold up the spice box, and recite the blessing:
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam borei minei v’samim.
We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of all spices.
Lift the Havdalah candle, and recite the blessing:
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, borei m’orei ha-eish.
We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of fire.
Hold the Havdalah candle, and recite the blessing:
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam,
hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol, bein or l’choshech,
bein Yisrael laamim,
bein yom hash-vi-i l’sheishet y’mei hamaaseh.
Baruch atah Adonai, hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol.
We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe: You distinguish the commonplace from the holy; You create light and darkness, Israel and the nations, the seventh day of rest and the six days of labor. We praise You, O God: You call us to distinguish the commonplace from the holy.